Wrench



T. H. ROSS Mist, 1928.

WRENCH Filed Oct. 22, 1921 Patented Jan. 31, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

THOMAS H. ROSS, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF .O'NE HALF TO ROBERT STORY, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

WRENCH.

Application filed October 22, 1921. Serial No. 509,635.

This invention relates to wrenches, and my improvements are directed to a certain novel construction and interacting relation of object engaging parts whereby in the movement of a wrench in one directionan engaged object is gripped with increasmg tenacity, utilizing the head portion of the wrench" as a fulcrum, while in its opposite direction of movement the engaging parts of the Wrench are relaxed to release and pass freely about the object.

l/Vith these ends in view my invention consists of a handle or stock in whose head portion there are pivotally mounted two complementary jaw portions which extend angularly, in parallel, slidably engaged relation, from the head portion, with opposed, object gripping surfaces, the pivotal axes for these jaw portions being arranged so that n the opposite movements of the latter their op posed gripping surfaces will be caused to approach and recede from an interposed work object in the performance of the wrench functions.

Other features and advantages of my invention will hereinafter appear.

1n the drawing s Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved wrench.

Fig. 2 is a rear view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a plan detail of one of the jaw elements.

Fig. i is a rear View of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the other jaw element, and

Fig. 6 is a rear view of Fig. 5.

1n the figures the numeral 1 indicates the wrench handle, having the bifurcated head portion 2, carrying the transverse pivot plns 3, 1, upon which are respectively mounted the members 5, 6, which extend out angularly, in parallelism, from the head portion. The member 5 has an arcuate slot 7 by which it engages the pin 3, and is provided with an enlarged portion 8, with an upper gripping surface 9, and a curved under shoulder 10. It also has a finger piece 11 projecting from its rearward portion, one end thereof having a slot 12 engaging the pine, and its free end extending upwardly.

The member 6 has a shank portion 13 that is mounted on the pin 4, and a hook-like forward portion 14 with a lower, gripping surface 15 opposed to the surface 9. The back of member 6 is grooved, at 15*, to slldably contain the finger piece 11, a pin 16,

which bridges the groove 15*, engaging a slot 17 formed in the finger piece. Thus the members 5 and 6 are connected, for slidable relative movement as they rock individually about their respective pivotal axes 3, 4. A helical spring 18, lying in slot 17, between the upper end of the slot and the pin 16, normally urges the member 6 toward the member 5 for engaging purposes.

The showing of the wrench in full lines,

Fig. 1, represents the wrench as swung in the direction indicated by the arrow for gripping and turning a work object engaged between the jaw-surfaces 9, 15; and the dotted position in the same View indicates the wrench as swung in the opposite direction to release the object preparatory to taking a fresh grip thereon. 1'

It should be noted that in the gripping operation, to turn an interposed object, the shoulder 10 bears with cam-like actionagainst the forward, curved surface 19 of head portion 2, which serves as the fulcrum for the gripping leverage employed, whereby no strain at all is imposed upon the pin 3.

' The gripping surfaces 9. 15, while shown as angled for the reception of a hexagon nut or other object, may have other known gripping form, and may be for engaging pipes.

The members 5, 6 may also be provided with lateral, angled lips or projectionsQO, 21, capable of entering depressed surfaces to function as a socket wrench. When so em ployed, however, the direction of movement of the wrench, in expanding and contracting its jaws, will be opposite to its direction of movement when engaged object.

From the foregoing description it will be obvious that my improved wrench is capable of operation in ratchet like manner, without the employment of a rack and pawl.

Variations within the spirit and scope of my invention are equally comprehended by the foregoing disclosure I claim: The combination, in a wrench, of a handle having a bifurcated head, and a pair of 0p posed jaws with shanks mounted respectivegripping and releasing an of suitable characterv mounted, and the extension carrying a spring which urges the jaws toward each other. 10 Signed at New York, in the county and State of Ne York this 13th day of October, 1921.

THOMAS H. ROSS. 

